South Africa and the World Health Organization has released its 2016 update to the Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database, revealing which regions in the world have dirtiest air. In 2013, Joburg, being the most populated urban region in the country was unsurprisingly ranked as having the most polluted air.
However, in the 2016 update, a new addition has overtaken Joburg’s economic capital to claim the top spot: Hartebeespoort. Hartebeespoort is not an obvious candidate for ‘worst air pollution in South Africa’, though the region’s air quality problems have been raised several times over the past decade. The region’s air quality is adversely affected by its proximately to Tshwane and Johannesburg (both remain high on the list – with Tshwane now second in South Africa, ahead of Joburg), as well as mining operations in area.
These are South Africa’s most air-polluted regions
Hartebeespoort – North West
Tshwane – Gauteng
Sebokeng – Mpumalanga
Diepkloof – Gauteng